Australian Football: Steps to Success provides the essential skills players and coaches need to master the game and build successful teams. This book contains comprehensive instruction on the techniques and tactics that have helped top player Andrew McLeod become a two-time Norm Smith medallist and three-time All Australian. McLeod and football coach and teacher Trevor Jaques draw on years of experience to help you prepare for and play the game.

From basic ball handling to more challenging ruckwork, Australian Football: Steps to Success provides full technical guidance. Carefully selected drills speed the learning process and help monitor progress. You then apply those skills on the field with the tactical approaches essential to commanding every facet of the game. The final training guidelines ensure that practice sessions are varied, efficient, and fun while physically preparing players to execute the skills and withstand the rigors of one of the most challenging team sports.

Andrew McLeod has played in the Australian Football League (AFL) for a decade and is one of the most popular and talented players in the game. A life member of the Adelaide Football Club, McLeod has exceptional skills and blinding speed that have made him a fan favourite to legions of Crows supporters as well as opposition players and football followers.

McLeod has received numerous accolades, awards, and medals. He is a five-time All Australian as well as a dual winner of the Norm Smith medal, which is awarded to the AFL Grand Final's most outstanding player. In 2007, he became the captain of the All-American team for the first time. In 2004, at the age of 28, McLeod reached another significant milestone when he played his 200th senior game. McLeod has been named club champion twice, runner-up three times, and third once. He has regularly placed as a top-10 contender for the AFL's Brownlow Medal, including a second and third placing. McLeod also won the Michael Tuck Medal for the most outstanding player in the preseason championship game in 2003.

Trevor Jaques has gone from representing South Australia as a schoolboy and amateur footballer to serving as fitness coach for the SA team, which won the 1988 and 1993 Australian championships. He has played, taught, and coached at many levels and served as an elite-level fitness coach for more than 25 years. With this extensive background, he has at various times held positions as fitness director, runner, and team selector for the Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League since the team's inception in 1991. For the past 12 years he has served as the league's training services manager, the position he currently holds.

Jaques received his bachelor's degree and physical education qualifications from Adelaide University and his master's degree from Michigan State University. Formerly a senior lecturer in sport sciences at the University of South Australia, Jaques taught sport and skill analysis, sport injuries, sports conditioning, and football.

"Australian Football: Steps to Success covers all of the essential skills and provides drills, guidelines, and information on team play."

Wayne JacksonFormer AFL Commissioner and CEO

"Jaques and McLeod make a formidable team. They have produced the ultimate Australian football guide for every player and coach."

Wayne CareyFormer champion AFL player

"This book includes key learning points for each skill and important elements of team play along with effective and stimulating practice activities to make planning easy."

Lawrie WoodmanNational Coaching Development manager, AFL

"With the powerhouse team of Jaques and McLeod and their thorough and systematic approach to skill acquisition, anyone can learn to be a successful Australian football player."

Lleyton HewittTennis World #2, avid football fan, and would-be Australian Football League player